Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Act 2011
Encyclopedia
The Estates of Deceased Persons (Forfeiture Rule and Law of Succession) Act 2011 (c. 7) is an Act
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
altering the rules on inheritance in the UK. It received Royal Assent on 12 July 2011.
The Act originates in a 2000 case, where a man murdered his parents. The court determined that not just the murderer but also his son should be disinherited. The Law Commission
took the matter into consideration, and published a Consultation Paper in October 2003 followed by a Final Report on 27 July 2005, which became the basis for this Act.
Under the Act, if a person loses his right to inheritance through the forfeiture rule or through disclaiming it, that person is to be treated (for purposes of determining inheritance) as having died immediately prior to the testator or intestate. The Act amends the Administration of Estates Act 1925
and Wills Act 1837
accordingly.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
altering the rules on inheritance in the UK. It received Royal Assent on 12 July 2011.
The Act originates in a 2000 case, where a man murdered his parents. The court determined that not just the murderer but also his son should be disinherited. The Law Commission
Law Commission (England and Wales)
In England and Wales the Law Commission is an independent body set up by Parliament by the Law Commissions Act 1965 in 1965 to keep the law of England and Wales under review and to recommend reforms. The organisation is headed by a Chairman and four Law Commissioners...
took the matter into consideration, and published a Consultation Paper in October 2003 followed by a Final Report on 27 July 2005, which became the basis for this Act.
Under the Act, if a person loses his right to inheritance through the forfeiture rule or through disclaiming it, that person is to be treated (for purposes of determining inheritance) as having died immediately prior to the testator or intestate. The Act amends the Administration of Estates Act 1925
Administration of Estates Act 1925
The Administration of Estates Act 1925 is a law passed in 1925 in England and Wales that changed the rule of inheritance from primogeniture to that of modern day norms. This statute does not apply to Scotland or to Northern Ireland....
and Wills Act 1837
Wills Act 1837
The Wills Act 1837 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that confirms the power of every adult to dispose of their real and personal property, whether they are the outright owner or a beneficiary under a trust, by will on their death...
accordingly.